Stay Informed

Local ‘Dreamers’ Call For Congress to Act on DACA

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - A group of advocates and immigrants are calling for congressional action to protect DACA recipients, immigrants whose legal status could be in jeopardy in the next few weeks.

There are about 10,000 'Dreamers' in Indiana. Dreamers are undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.

Wednesday, a few local Dreamers shared their stories and concerns that they could lose work status or be deported if DACA is allowed to expire in March.

Omar Gama came to America from Mexico when he was 10 years old. He has since graduated from college, has a job at a real estate company and is a homeowner.

"It's nerve-racking. Uncertain. I don't know what is going to happen here in the next couple of months," said Gama. "We still have some hope, I may not be a kid anymore, but this is my home."

Gama spoke on behalf of IndyCAN, a faith group for racial equality. They want Congress to pass protections for Dreamers and have hope that could come this week with negotiations to avoid a government shutdown.

Advocates are calling on Congress to make a dream act part of the deal. At this point, it's unclear if enough Democrats will demand it as part of the deal to avoid a shutdown.

Many Republicans have said they are willing to negotiate, with stipulations like funding for a border wall.

IndyCAN on the Web

Indianapolis Congregation Action Network and PICO National Network are nonpartisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.